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Come Fan with UsWednesday, August 5, 2026

NBA players and teams honor Craig Sager before Thursday and Friday night games

The NBA family lost Sager on Thursday after a years-long battle with leukemia.

The NBA lost a family member on Tuesday. Longtime TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager, 65, passed after a years-long battle with a rare form of leukemia. Known for his eye-popping suits and uplifting spirit, Sager won over NBA viewers with his unrelenting energy. The network shared a tribute video from its Twitter account, but players and coaches across the league paid their respects, as well.

The Milwaukee Bucks made their statement when players came out for warmups wearing the signature #SagerStrong shirts. The cheerleaders wore them, too.

In case you were wondering, the shirts are a replica of the outfit Sager wore during his powerful at the 2016 ESPY’s where Vice President Joe Biden presented him with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.

The Bucks weren’t the only team to pay Sager homage. Boston’s players took a group photo in the #SagerStrong shirts.

San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich, often tight-lipped, shared his thoughts.

Dennis Scott, who served as TNT’s sideline reporter on Thursday, asked both Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg and Bucks coach Jason Kidd about the impact Sager had on the NBA.

Some Golden State Warriors players, including Shaun Livingston, also rocked the #SagerStrong shirts.

Both Stephen Curry and Carmelo Anthony also shared their thoughts on Sager’s passing.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr took a few moments ahead of his team’s Thursday night matchup against the Knicks to share his experience working with Sager in television.

An emotional Kerr also addressed the Oracle Arena crowd to offer his condolences to Sager’s family and closest friends. Instead of prompting a moment of silence, the ex-TNT broadcaster led Warriors fans in a “moment of joy.”

Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek also reflected on Sager, saying Kerr lent him a tie Sager-like tie to wear for the Knicks-Warriors game.

The tributes kept coming even into Friday’s game, too.

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